Ceasefire deal: We won’t relax state of emergency – FG

In spite of the ceasefire deal between members of the Boko Haram sect and the Federal Government, the presidency has said that the ongoing emergency operation in Adamawa, Borno and Yobe States would not be suspended.

The Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, gave this disclosure while speaking with newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday.

Turaki, who doubles as the chairman, Presidential Amnesty Committee on Dialogue and Peaceful Resolution of Security Challenges in the North, had on Monday, while speaking on Radio France International, Hausa Service, announced the ceasefire deal by the Islamist fundamentalists.

According to him, the security agencies would determine whether or not normalcy had returned to the volatile northern states.

He said, “Even with the declaration and announcement of ceasefire, I think the issue of the state of emergency will have to stay until the security agencies are fully satisfied that normalcy has been restored and that there is order and peace.

“Because, let us not forget the fact that with or without this ceasefire, it is a serious and great responsibility of government to ensure that the lives and property of law abiding Nigerians are protected wherever they are and in whatever circumstances.

Continuing, Turaki added, “So, I think it is the situation that will begin to unfold themselves henceforth, that will determine whether the security agencies on ground will relax the period of the curfew or not. They will ultimately advise the appropriate authorities whether the State of Emergency should be lifted.

“But, I think that is not for the committee.”

Commenting on the recent massacre of students in Yobe State by the Boko Haram sect, the Minister said the Boko Haram sect had confirmed (to his committee) that their members were not involved in the deadly attack.

On how they were able to achieve the ceasefire deal with the violent sect, Turaki said it was the outcome of the series of meetings with the leadership of the group.

He said, “Basically, they took into account, one, the sincerity of the committee, which by necessary implication also is the sincerity of the President regarding the resolution of the issue of insecurity in the North.
:Number two also, unlike their thinking that the committee was meant to serve as a trap for them, they also realised that not only is the committee very sincere, government and indeed Mr. President is also very sincere about the whole discussions.

“They also took into account the fasting of the month of Ramadan which is already on and felt that they should give peace a chance so that our Muslim sisters and brothers will be able to perform their religious obligation this month without any harassment, without any fear of explosions”, Turaki said.